Clamp device

Abstract

An improved clamp device having interchangeable quick release clamping members, said clamping members being moveable relative to the jaws of the device and being magnetic so as to retain the clamp device to a ferro-metallic work piece. The improvements allow increased flexibility of the device over traditionally configured clamps with regard to use of the device with difficult work pieces and environments. The interchangeable clamping members allow a single device to be used for multiple applications, thereby making the invention a low cost and convenient alternative to multiple special purpose tools, as well as permitting quick and inexpensive replacement of wear elements.

1. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 
 wherein the first clamping member comprises a ball joint which allows the first clamping member to swivel in multiple directions relative to the clamping end of the first jaw portion of the clamping assembly when the clamping assembly is in the opened position, and 
 the first clamping member comprises a pair of knurls integrated with the ball joint to cause the ball joint to lock in place when the clamping assembly is in the closed position, such that the first clamping member remains stationary relative to the clamping end of the first jaw portion of the clamping assembly when the clamping assembly is in the closed position; 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     2. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 
 wherein the first clamping member has a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and an attachment end opposite the clamping surface of the first clamping member; and 
 the first attachment component comprises
 an inner cavity formed into the clamping end of the first jaw portion of the clamping assembly, and 
 the attachment end of the first clamping member; 
 
 whereby the attachment end of the first clamping member is suitably adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity of the first attachment component, 
 the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     3. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member having a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and an attachment end opposite the clamping surface of the first clamping member; with said first attachment component comprising an inner cavity formed into the clamping end of the first jaw portion of the clamping assembly, and the attachment end of the first clamping member; 
 
 wherein the attachment end of the first clamping member has a shaft, with said shaft having substantially hexagonal sides, and the inner cavity of the first attachment component having a suitable shape and dimension to frictionally accommodate the shaft of the attachment end of the first clamping member; 
 whereby the attachment end of the first clamping member is suitably adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity of the first attachment component, 
 the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     4. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 
 wherein the first clamping member has a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and an attachment end opposite the clamping surface of the first clamping member, said attachment end comprising a rare-earth-element magnet suitably adapted to be magnetically secured to the clamping end of the first jaw portion of the clamping assembly; and 
 the first attachment component comprises the attachment end of the first clamping member; 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     5. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 
 wherein the first clamping member is magnetic and is suitably adapted to securely hold a ferro-metallic work piece when the clamping assembly is in the opened position or to securely hold the clamp device to the ferro-metallic work piece when the clamping assembly is in the opened position; 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     6. The clamp device of  claim 5 , wherein the first clamping member includes a rare-earth-element magnet. 
   
   
     7. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, 
 a second clamping member, said second clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the second jaw portion by a second attachment component, with said second clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, and 
 a conductor, said conductor formed of a length of flexible material suitably adapted to conduct an electrical charge, said conductor having a first end and a second end, 
 wherein the first end of the conductor is attached to the first clamping member and the second end of the conductor is attached to the second clamping member; 
 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     8. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 a second clamping member, said second clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the second jaw portion by a second attachment component, with said second clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; and 
 a conductor, said conductor formed of a length of flexible material suitably adapted to conduct an electrical charge, said conductor having a first end and a second end; 
 
 wherein the first end of the conductor is attached to the first clamping member and the second end of the conductor is attached to the second clamping member and the conductor comprises an insulated wire; 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     9. A clamp device, comprising
 a handle assembly, having a first handle portion and a second handle portion, said handle portions suitably adapted to be held and manipulated by a human hand; and 
 a clamping assembly attached to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened position or a closed position, said clamping assembly having
 a first jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, 
 a second jaw portion having a clamping end distal to the handle assembly, and 
 a first clamping member, said first clamping member removably attached to the clamping end of the first jaw portion by a first attachment component, with said first clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 
 wherein the first clamping member comprises a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, said clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the first clamping member; 
 whereby the closed position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently engaged with a work piece to hold the work piece securely within the clamp device or to hold the clamp device securely to the work piece, and 
 the opened position of the clamping assembly comprises a relative orientation of the first clamping member with the clamping end of the second jaw portion in which said clamping member and clamping end of the second jaw portion are sufficiently disengaged from a work piece to permit removal of the work piece from the clamp device or to permit removal of the clamp device from the work piece. 
 
   
   
     10. The clamp device of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping surface comprises lateral flanges suitably adapted to be frictionally secured to the first clamping member. 
   
   
     11. The clamp device of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping surface comprises a rare-earth-element magnet. 
   
   
     12. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; 
 said clamping member further comprising a ball joint, 
 wherein said ball joint allows the clamping member to swivel in multiple directions relative to the clamp device when the clamping assembly is in an opened position, and 
 the ball joint locks in place causing the clamping member to be stationary relative to the clamp device when the clamp device assembly is in a closed position. 
 
   
   
     13. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and to swivel in multiple directions relative to the clamp device, comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; 
 a ball joint, wherein said ball joint allows the clamping member to swivel relative to the clamp device when the clamping assembly is in an opened position, and the ball joint locks in place causing the clamping member to be stationary relative to the clamp device when the clamp device assembly is in a closed position; and 
 a pair of knurls integrated with the ball joint to cause the ball joint to lock in place when the clamp device is in the closed position. 
 
   
   
     14. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; 
 wherein the attachment end comprises a shaft. 
 
   
   
     15. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; 
 wherein the attachment end comprises a rare-earth-element magnet suitably adapted to magnetically secure the clamping member to the clamp device. 
 
   
   
     16. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece; and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; 
 wherein the clamping surface is magnetic and is suitably adapted to securely hold a ferro-metallic work piece when the clamp device is in an opened position or to securely hold the clamp device to the ferro-metallic work piece when the clamp device is in the opened position. 
 
   
   
     17. The clamping member of  claim 16 , wherein the clamping surface comprises a rare-earth-element magnet. 
   
   
     18. A clamping member for use with a clamp device, said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, said clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamping member; and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device. 
 
   
   
     19. A pair of clamping members for use with a clamp device,
 each said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; and 
 
 a conductor, said conductor formed of a length of flexible material suitably adapted to conduct an electrical charge, said conductor having a first end and a second end, 
 wherein the first end of the conductor is attached to one of the clamping members and the second end of the conductor is attached to the other of the clamping members. 
 
   
   
     20. A pair of clamping members for use with a clamp device,
 each said clamping member suitably adapted to engage with a work piece and comprising
 a clamping surface suitably adapted to engage with a work piece, and 
 an attachment end opposite the clamping surface suitably adapted to be removably attached to the clamp device; and 
 
 a conductor, said conductor formed of a length of flexible material suitably adapted to conduct an electrical charge, said conductor having a first end and a second end, 
 wherein the first end of the conductor is attached to one of the clamping members and the second end of the conductor is attached to the other of the clamping members; and the conductor comprises an insulated wire.